Third Person's POV Jenny froze for a heartbeat, her amber eyes narrowing as she hissed at Freya. "Freya, I heard about your little… incident with my uncle. You even dared snatch the necklace he's worn for years. Don't think you can just waltz in front of him, forcing Parker into a dilemma." Her tone was sharp, venomous, but beneath it, a tremor of fear lingered. Jenny knew that if Everett noticed the ruby necklace around Freya's throat, her carefully laid plans would collapse instantly. She could not allow that to happen. Freya's lips curved slightly at the comment, though her gaze was calm, unflinching. She hadn't expected Jenny to know about the past incident. Yet, she understood Jenny's calculation all too well: tension, manipulation, the need to maintain appearances in front of the Alpha. But Freya had no intention of putting Parker in a position where he would be torn between his loyalty to his family and his bond with her. "Parker," she said softly, turning her eyes to him, "I'll go in first." Parker nodded, the wolf in him tense but restrained. "Alright. I'll find you inside soon." Freya's amber gaze flicked to Lana, who walked beside her, the Beta's presence a steady reassurance. "Mm," Freya murmured, and together, they strode into the Grand Meridian Plaza's ballroom. The heavy doors swung open, and the scent of finely polished oak and faint wolf musk from the gathering elite welcomed them. Parker followed behind, heading directly to Everett. The Alpha's presence was immediate, commanding-each step resonating with the unshakable authority of a pack head. His eyes, sharp and silver under the ballroom's chandelier light, landed on Jenny with a flick of disdain. "She's here too?" Everett's voice was low, controlled, yet like a steel trap. "She… should be," Parker replied evenly, his tone measured. "Since Silas Whitmor has already withdrawn his objections, it's only proper she attends." Everett's lips pressed into a thin line, the corner of his eye twitching. "You are bringing her because of the donor in the hospital? Hmph. A weakness. Anyone with leverage can manipulate you. And that leverage… could cost you more than you know." "I only wish to be at peace with my conscience," Parker said softly, the wolfed edge in his voice calm yet unyielding. Everett's brow creased slightly, his eyes sweeping to Jenny. "Tonight, do not disgrace yourself-or this family. Speak no words you shouldn't, perform no actions that bring shame to the Williams name. One misstep, and I will have you expelled from this family without hesitation." Jenny's face paled, though she kept her composure. "I only wish to accompany Parker. I will be well-behaved tonight," she said quickly, bowing her head in deference.Everett finally turned toward the ballroom, each of his strides radiating the confidence of a wolf Alpha. Jenny followed Parker, but inside, her teeth ground together. The Williams Family remained aloof, regal, treating branch families like pawns-summoned or dismissed at will. And Everett's obsession with finding his long-lost sister? That obsession blinded him to truth. Her sister had been dead for three years. Parker and Freya were, in truth, the nephew and niece of Everett's lost kin. Only by keeping their lineage a secret could Jenny hope to ascend within the Williams Family. The necklace, their bloodline, all of it-must remain hidden at any cost. The Whitmor Group's anniversary celebration was a dazzling display of wolfborn aristocracy and corporate power. Representatives from packs, business conglomerates, suppliers, and partner enterprises mingled beneath the towering crystal chandeliers of the Grand Meridian Plaza. Freya moved alongside Lana, who navigated the crowd with the ease of a seasoned Beta, exchanging polite nods, subtle acknowledgments, and strategic small talk to expand her network. Freya's gown, a soft champagne hue, flowed around her like moonlight on still water, while the ruby necklace gleamed vividly, a flame at her throat. It marked her, unassailable, like a wolf staking her claim. The ballroom quieted as the clock struck the hour. Every chatter, clink of glasses, and rustle of silk hushed. Silas entered-a vision in black, accented by a deep crimson tie. His presence alone seemed to shift the room's energy, pulling the gaze of every elite. Each step he took resonated like the measured, lethal paw of an Alpha on the hunt. A hushed whisper reached Freya's ears. "Is that Whitmor's bracelet… an antique? It doesn't look like it." "Looks like a common trinket from a shop," another voice replied. "Whitmor wouldn't wear something so ordinary!" Freya's heart stirred, a flicker of confusion and nostalgia. Could Silas still care? Why, after all these years, did he never remove the bracelet? Every encounter she'd had with him, his wrist bore the same token, as though her absence could be filled by its constant presence. Silas ascended the dais. His expression was neutral, imperious, yet impossibly elegant. "Welcome, everyone, to tonight's celebration. Enjoy yourselves," he intoned, his voice calm but carrying the absolute authority of an Alpha. Then he stepped down from the dais, moving among the guests, a predator among the courtly prey. No charm, no flattery could sway him; he remained utterly unattached, even to those eager to curry favor. Lana's voice startled Freya from her thoughts. "Are you watching Silas?" Freya blinked, grounding herself in the present. "I-" "Have you thought this through?" Lana prompted, her gaze flicking over the glittering assembly. "There are plenty of wolves here, all vying for his attention. Many would do anything to catch his notice tonight." Freya hesitated, caught in the swirl of the celebration. Then, a sharp voice rang out, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. "Some people," it said, tinged with derision, "only think about how to climb higher, as if entering this hall magically elevates them to power." Freya turned, eyes meeting a woman she did not recognize. The woman's posture, her gaze, and the edge in her voice carried the aura of a wolf born to command respect. Lana, however, recognized her immediately.